-
I don't much care for Michael Moore (OK, I despise Michael Moore), but his films are the epitome of the right to free speech. Only in America would such an attack on the Head of State be not only allowed, but encouraged, as part of the political dialogue required in a self-governing society. To deny his right to criticize the President, as repugnant as his message might be, would be the first step down the road to tyrrany.
OK, the second step. The first step was the execrable McCain-Feingold law which is now being used to ban all ads for Fahrenheit 911 after July 30, and possibly ban the film itself between then and the November election. It talks about politics, you see, and must be banned to protect the integrity of elections, such as the cliffhanger at the Republican National Convention. "Money is not speech!" says the Court.
Having decided that the right to bear arms is a collective right, we are on the edge of deciding that political speech is also a collective right. So long as "both sides" are given an even footing, other speakers may be barred. It is perhaps poetic justice that the first of many such travesties is visited upon this Democrat darling.
Irony is also a dish best served cold. Too bad it's on the menu, though.